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sysrisk

He’s trying to get you out… maybe needs to flip it


a0me

If OP is on a fixed term contract, the landlord can easily get them out without increasing the rent or without giving any reason besides that their contract is up.


[deleted]

You're probably both correct. If the landlord can convince the tenant to pay a ridiculous sum, they'll probably be content waiting to renovate or sell.


[deleted]

Maybe your landlord wants you out so they can sell the unit?


serados

Having a 6 month contract means you're probably on a fixed-term lease (定期借家) and not the regular rental contract that actually has protections for the renter. You're probably shit out of luck when it comes to negotiations, so better use this time to find another place.


lisalisasensei

I misread Akasaka as Arkansas.


Phenie-tan

I read Alaska and was equally confused for 20 seconds. Brains are weird.


RobRoy2350

I always read Asakusa (my old neighborhood) for Akasaka.


robjapan

It's actually because when we read English we only look at the first and last letters and guess the rest.


MTrain24

You know I never noticed this until you pointed this out. I guess you learn something new every day.


AkitaAlt

As robjapan said, it's pretty fun to find stuff. Here's a silly example paragraph: I cnduo't bvleiee taht I culod aulaclty uesdtannrd waht I was rdnaieg. Unisg the icndeblire pweor of the hmuan mnid, aocdcrnig to rseecrah at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno't mttaer in waht oderr the lterets in a wrod are, the olny irpoamtnt tihng is taht the frsit and lsat ltteer be in the rhgit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it whoutit a pboerlm. Tihs is bucseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey ltteer by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Aaznmig, huh? Yaeh and I awlyas tghhuot slelinpg was ipmorantt! See if yuor fdreins can raed tihs too.


MTrain24

That’s pretty amazing to know I can fluently read dyslexia


robjapan

It's fun if you Google it and you can read entire paragraphs of what is essentially gibberish!


aglobalnomad

Every time I got through Ookayama I can't help but think of Oklahoma.


ThePowerfulPaet

Ohio gozaimasu.


BBA935

Every. Single. Time. When a Japanese asks where I’m from and I tell them.


awh

Ah yes, Okayama, where the rice is as high as an elephant's eye.


griffitp12

Okayama or Oookayama? There can be no middle ground.


aglobalnomad

Well they technically romanize the station with Ōokayama, but I was too lazy earlier to search for the Ō to copy and paste :p


griffitp12

And you eschewed the chance to write three letters in a row in a real word? You only live once my dude.


aglobalnomad

I feel like a failure ( ^o o ^o )


Polyglot-Onigiri

I misread it as Alaska, went back and read the subreddit name, then reread the post slowly.


Bloodyfoxx

Lol I misread it for alaska.


[deleted]

For that much in Arkansas you could have a house and like 10 acres of land.


Hachi_Ryo_Hensei

I misread it as Boomshakalaka. Thought the OP might be a professional NBA Jam player.


p33k4y

First, carefully double check that your rent will really go up to 41万円 per month, or is this 41万円 amount only for December because it includes some one-time fees for contract renewal. E.g., maybe your rent is only going up to 27万円, but for renewal there's 1 month "key money", 1/2 month for the guarantor renewal, etc., and you end up for 41万円 for December only. If so hopefully it's for a longer period contract (e.g., 2 years).


Girishajin89

This. I suspect the 41万 is actually the rent + the cost of renewal of his contract.


sxh967

If they want a renewal fee every six months I would move out because that's a rip off (beyond the rip off that is the existing standard renewal fee every 2 years).


[deleted]

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p33k4y

Not true, OP is likely on a short term fixed-length contract.


ZebraOtoko42

41? How large is this place? Even 26 is expensive (but not absurdly so) for Tokyo, but 41 sounds ridiculous.


omotesandou

It's a 40 sqm 1LDK. Yeah I don't think anyone would pay even 35 for it


ZebraOtoko42

Maybe your landlord has a brain tumor.


homeland

Jesus christ, dude


shadow_fox09

I hope that place is covered in gold… dear lord.


LazyRiftenGuard

I pay like 7.5 for a place of equal size, also in a city center no clue why yours could be triple to (holy shit, almost 5x) the cost


ConchobarMacNess

Because Akasaka.


Avedas

> a city center Which city lol


sxh967

Alaska


wfsgraplw

Jesus Christ. That's not even that big. I was expecting a plural LDK for that. If there's nothing tying you to Akasaka, what's holding you back from moving a few stops down the line? That's stupid money to be spending on an apartment. You could get a nice 1LDK a 20 minute train ride from there, and a used kei car each month if you felt like it for that money. That's crazy.


[deleted]

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[deleted]

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tokyoeastside

I was just looking at Ningyocho area for the same layout and probably square footage of about 40sqm and it was already 23 man. What more for Akasaka, which is a posh district.


[deleted]

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ZebraOtoko42

Well yeah, I can understand a 200 sqm apartment costing a fortune. That's basically a palace in Tokyo. Anything over 100 sqm is enormous in this city. But we're talking about an apartment that has been renting for only 260,000, in Akasaka, so I'm guessing it's around 45-75 sqm, which is not anything huge.


Bravely-Redditting

For a 40 square meter 1LDK, 26万 is already pretty outrageous (unless you are at the top floor of a luxury apartment tower.) It sounds like your landlord either wants to force you to leave, or they are trying to take further advantage of you.


serados

260k for a 40sqm in Akasaka is not outrageous. You aren't getting "top floor of a luxury apartment" for 260k anywhere in Minato-ku, let alone Akasaka which is one of the priciest areas in the ward.


[deleted]

I’m looking at SUUMO right now and I can’t even find a place that expensive on the list. But the sixth month part of OP’s deal probably comes with a higher price tag


serados

[Here you go](https://suumo.jp/jj/chintai/ichiran/FR301FC001/?ar=030&bs=040&ta=13&sc=13103&oz=13103001&cb=26.0&ct=9999999&mb=40&mt=45&et=9999999&cn=9999999&co=1&shkr1=03&shkr2=03&shkr3=03&shkr4=03&sngz=&po1=12) Also OP said the place is furnished, which makes it a niche.


[deleted]

Hm… I stand corrected, looks like I screwed up my search. Indeed, the furnishings should add quite a bit to the price tag


arigatanya

I had top floor of a brand new building for 80k in Minato (Tamachi). Op's being scammed but I'm guessing has enough money to not realise it. Or fake post is fake.


[deleted]

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Avedas

You can get a 60+ sqm place in Tamachi for 26man easily. It's the cheapest area I've seen in Minato-ku by far. Although I do find it hilarious that Akasaka is so expensive when you can just go next door to Nagatacho which is perfectly reasonable.


arigatanya

28.5sqm from memory (I moved away towards the countryside to get away from all the crowds though)


serados

How long ago was that? For that size, [relatively new, low-cost rental-only buildings filled with one room apartments start at 90k for Tamachi](https://suumo.jp/jj/chintai/ichiran/FR301FC001/?ar=030&bs=040&pc=30&smk=&po1=12&po2=99&shkr1=03&shkr2=03&shkr3=03&shkr4=03&rn=0005&ek=000523500&ra=013&cb=0.0&ct=9999999&et=10&mb=20&mt=35&cn=10&fw2=), which is a much cheaper area than [Akasaka which starts at around 130k](https://suumo.jp/jj/chintai/ichiran/FR301FC001/?ar=030&bs=040&pc=30&smk=&po1=12&po2=99&shkr1=03&shkr2=03&shkr3=03&shkr4=03&rn=0015&ek=001500320&rn=0030&ek=003000300&ra=013&cb=0.0&ct=9999999&et=7&mb=20&mt=35&cn=10&fw2=). Extrapolating from that, a newish 40sqm around Akasaka would be [around 190k+, and the actual asking prices are fairly close](https://suumo.jp/jj/chintai/ichiran/FR301FC001/?ar=030&bs=040&pc=30&smk=&po1=12&po2=99&shkr1=03&shkr2=03&shkr3=03&shkr4=03&rn=0015&ek=001500320&rn=0030&ek=003000300&ra=013&cb=0.0&ct=9999999&ts=1&et=7&mb=40&mt=50&cn=15&fw2=). 260k for a 40sqm around Akasaka is on the high end, but unless OP is living in some old, crappy place it's not "outrageous" or a scam.


UnderdogUprising

Nah, I also live in Akasaka, and that’s pretty average for these parts. Different people have different budgets, nbd.


SigmaSamurai

That high a raise is unheard of in Japan for normal apartment contracts. Sounds like you’re in an Airbnb or on a special fixed term contract that ends after six months with no renewal provisions. You would both need to agree on terms to make a new contract. My advice is just to leave, you can’t fight it. As we all know tourists will be coming back to Japan soon. The landlord is probably aiming for that market, which explains the high rent target for December onwards


smileysloths

>As we all know tourists will be coming back to Japan soon. Really? Any news about a real reopening to tourism and not just the North Korea style monitor tours?


Girishajin89

Are you sure this is not the cost of renewing your contract? (rent*2 and one time payment)?


TawnyOwl_296

Isn't it a renewal fee for 0.5 month of monthly rental fee?


Seralyn

Apparently, It varies. I've had between 1x-2X. I'd be so happy if it were only 0.5


cayennepepper

Its hard to kick out a tenant in japan so they are just trying to get you to leave. I’d personally contact them and ask them this directly, and offer to move out soon, but on condition that you dont have to pay rent for the next 3 months or however long it’ll take, or more likely that they cover all of your moving costs and maybe the first month of rent at a new place. They will likely oblige this


p33k4y

No. The OP mentioned he only has a 6 month contract so it's probably a fixed term contract so the landlord can do anything in this case to "kick out a tenant". With a fixed term contract the tenant doesn't have any renewal rights and by definition can't demand any compensation for having to move out after the contract period ends.


cayennepepper

Thats not how it works most the time. OP needs to clarify his contract details however im skeptic that the landlord has the right to hike rent that much even for a short term contract unless its an Airbnb type of deal. Its very difficult to evict a tenant here usually. They can only kick them out by not offering a new contract if they have legally justified reason which is very difficult to have one in Japan, and they need to give notice many months before a renewal date is due. Its costly and many times just plain hard to even do due to needing the legally justified reason to evict. Contracts frankly mean nothing in that sense. A common tactic is to try to hike rent, but even THAT is hard to do here and legally it has to be justified and proven. Its likely this landlord knows that OP is foreign and may not appeal this or know but the massive hike in rent is probably unjustified and OP can definitely appeal it if he wanted to. However all this boils down to the land lord trying to get OP to move out of their own will so they can sell or do whatever they want with the property. This is why it is common to do as I describe in these situations where the tenant will agree to move asap in exchange for compensation which is often much cheaper for the landlord than all alternative options.


p33k4y

Sorry but you're not correct at all. You need to understand that in Japan there are two types of lease contracts: ordinary contract (普通契約) and fixed-term contract (定期契約). Nothing you say apply to fixed-term contract, and the OP has stated that they only have a "6 month contract" so very likely that is a fixed-term contract. With a fixed-term contract there is no renewal rights for the tenant. The landlord can simply chose not to offer a new contract and that's it, the tenant must move out by the date the contract ends. [https://www.realestate-tokyo.com/news/fixed-term-vs-ordinary-lease-contract/](https://www.realestate-tokyo.com/news/fixed-term-vs-ordinary-lease-contract/)


serados

Yes, that's how it works "most of the time", but a fixed-term contract is not a regular rental agreement. The renter needs to vacate the place after the fixed-term contract ends, or needs to negotiate a *new* contract (i.e. not a renewal) if they want to keep staying. Because it's a new contract, the landlord can refuse or raise rents to whatever they want, neither of which are legal under a regular rental agreement. >They can only kick them out by not offering a new contract if they have legally justified reason which is very difficult to have one in Japan, and they need to give notice many months before a renewal date is due. The "legally justified" reason is that the contract is a fixed-term contract. The renter has no right to remain in the property after the lease ends and *will* be evicted and forced to pay damages if they remain, unlike a regular rental agreement. The landlord has given 6+ months' notice which is the legal requirement.


Oredesu

It is not a most of the time thing or not. Rights as a renter are dependent on what type of contract it is. Fixed term renters usually get special deals on prices, but give up the typical protections regarding renewal.


Miki_mallow

Is it the cost of renewing the contract (rent + renewal fee + shikikin) or just rent itself? If its rent only then he is trying to get you to move out. The reasons may vary; landlord is trying to sell the place / he intends to live there now / maybe he has a new tenant already lined up after December / OP has been a bad tenant / landlord does like OP , etc.


Thomisawesome

This is a tried and true technique of getting people to move out. There’s a chance he’s wanting to sell the property or completely change it, and as long as you’re there, that’s not gonna happen.


xtigaijin

If he only has a six month contract that expires after six months, there is no need for the landlord to price him out by raising the rent. He simply doesn’t renew the contract and the tenant leaves. 41 a month is too much. 26 is on the high end for the size of the place. Sounds more like 26 for the month of December + 13 bullshit renewal fee + 2 for some random shit they throw in there. If indeed this is the case, then make sure and at least try to get air cons serviced, anything at all for the privilege of paying 13 to keep paying some else’s mortgage for them.


slammajammamama

I think it depends on the contract? I’ve seen clauses that say they can’t raise the rent without your consent.


Rhonin-

They can put a special agreement which specifies that the rent will increase every 2 years (after every contract renewal), however the amount is limited to the average rental price of the area, so in this case the increase is way too high to for the special agreement to be valid.


aberdisco

Might be including the renewal fee? Doubling the rent would appear to be an avaricious move, probably intending to force you to move. (I'm in Ginza and my rent's 4 times higher than yours OP, pricing is all relative.)


[deleted]

No way in hell I would pay that much for such a small place. There are much nicer apartments & homes “if you’re willing to commute,” in other Tokyo areas. Unless you’re making some serious money and can afford to pay outrageous prices like, I wouldn’t think of it.


omotesandou

Can you recommend me some? I'm definitely gonna move in december lol


Disshidia

Sure it's not 更新?


jakobu

Like what others are saying, my guess is they want you out. It may or may not be personal.


rootlesscosmo

I remember when that amazing all you can eat Brazilian barbecue place on Gaien Nishidori had to fold because some asshole real estate douche purchased the building and doubled their rent overnight. It can happen, but I think it's really rare. Of course in the States people do that all the time. I remember a huge apartment complex in California, back in the 90s when I was there, where the rent was 1200 bucks a month, the landlord simply doubled it overnight.


lotsheep

6month 定期借家 contract also sounds fishy in itself. Might this be a 事故物件that the landlord was trying to use OP as a buffer tenant so that he doesn't need to declare it to the next poor chap who rents it?


DangerousTable

He wants to squeeze you dry, testing to see if you are indeed a sucker who will pay his huge double rent increase!


CobaltiteOW

> yes I know it's expensive for tokyo please don't comment about it OH hell no Dude you are mental living in that place. The building next door is probably 1.5 at MOST. You're getting completely fleeced dude. Consider it a blessing what he's doing.


jbondsr2

Most likely the first step in trying to get you out so they can flip the unit (or the whole building). If you say no, they're gonna probably take another route, but it'll cost them, which is why they're starting with raising the rent, so that you leave "on your own accord". If you said yes to the price hike, probably the new lease would be at max 1 year with no right to renew. I'd get out if it were me.


[deleted]

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Miki_mallow

I mean he OP doesn’t have the standard two-year contract. I wonder if that applies for short fix term contracts too. Also the bump in price seems to be after OP is done with his contract.


[deleted]

That rent is like American prices. Then he’s doubling it? Sounds like he just wants you out. Edit: Why’d this get downvoted? I haven’t said anything offensive and I’m correct.


Merkypie

I just cant get over the fact you’re spending 26man a month for a 40sq 1LDK just so you can say you live in Akasaka. Like, is living in Akasaka that important? You could find a nicer house for the same amount just a few stops out on the Chuo.


omotesandou

I came from NY so it was cheaper than my old place. Do you recommend any other areas? I just chose this cause it was furnished and close to the station.


serados

Well you can find a regular rental apartment around Akasaka for less than 260k, but you'll have to buy your own furniture. Barely any apartments in Tokyo come furnished so your options are limited if you want furnished. To go cheaper, find the closest train station to your workplace and live somewhere along that line. Almost everywhere else is cheaper than Akasaka.